Board to audit Valemount community forest operations

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board will audit the forest planning and practices of the Valemount Community Forest Company Ltd., specifically community forest agreements KQ5, K2T, and forest licence A93987, in the Prince George Natural Resource District, starting Monday, July 24, 2023.

Auditors will examine whether timber harvesting, roads, bridges, silviculture, wildfire protection and associated planning carried out between July 1, 2021, and July 28, 2023, met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act, and the Wildfire Act.

The Valemount Community Forest is in the Robson Valley Timber Supply Area in east-central B.C., and the territories of the Simpcw First Nation and Canim Lake Band. The audit area is both topographically and ecologically diverse, as reflected in the broad mix of tree species, the diversity of wildlife habitats and the wide variety of land uses in the area, including forestry, recreation, agriculture and protected areas.

Community forests are forestry operations run for the benefit of the entire community by a local government, First Nation, or community-owned organization.

Once the audit is complete, a report will be prepared. Any party that may be adversely affected by the audit findings will have a chance to respond. The board’s final report and recommendations will be released to the public and provincial government.

The Forest Practices Board is B.C.’s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government. The board audits a sample of licence holders each year using a licence-selection process based on a modified random sample, not on past performance or public complaints. The board audits forest and range practices on public lands and the appropriateness of government enforcement. It can also make recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.

Contact:

Shannon West, Communications
Forest Practices Board

shannon.west@bcfpb.ca
Phone: 250 213-4735 / 1 800 994-5899